“This free trade agreement is one of the best bilateral trade deals negotiated for U.S. rice,” said Al Montna, USARF chairman and California rice producer on April 8. “We urge Congress to look at the merits of this agreement and to vote their approval.”

The U.S.-Colombia FTA establishes an initial tariff rate quota of 79,000 metric tons, milled basis, for U.S. rice, with Colombian imports of U.S. rice being duty free within the tariff rate quota. U.S. rice exports to Colombia averaged just less than 3,100 tons from 2003 to 2007. An out-of-quota duty of 80 percent is charged on imports above the tariff rate quota.